12/27/2020 18:14
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 12/27/2020 6:24 PM
Lionel Messi does not usually talk too much and, when he does, in occasional press conferences, he is not to dive too deep into the most delicate situations.
That is why the news of an exclusive interview with 10 of Barcelona and the Argentine National Team raised dust.
It was broadcast in the afternoon of our country on La Sexta, in a special conducted by the journalist who spoke with
Leo
: Jordi Évole.
Much was said about the possible departure of Messi from the Catalan club after the catastrophe in the Champions League with a 2-8 defeat against Bayern Munich and with the public shorts with the head of the institution, Josep María Bartomeu, especially after the Uruguayan's departure Luis Suarez.
Beyond that, the Argentine said: "I feel everything for this shirt. Barça is my life. I've been here since I was 13 years old, I've lived more in Barcelona than in Argentina and the club gave me everything as a person. I have a relationship. of love for what I've lived since I got here. "
And he sailed through the murky waters of what happened in recent months with a final statement: "The club is really bad, very bad, it will be difficult to get back to where we were."
Although he tried to show optimism: "It is true that I had a very bad time during the summer and before, because of how the season ended. Then came the burofax ... But now I feel good and want to fight for everything we have ahead. I'm excited, although the club is going through difficult times. These are difficult times, as for everyone. "
However, when they asked him about that blessed document that he sent and whose name became popular in those days, he did not hesitate: "I would send the burofax again because it is a way to make it official. In the last six months I told the president that I was leaving But he told me no and I wanted to make it official. "
Messi assured that he had decided to leave the club "before the dismissal of Suárez", but hinted that this made him even more patient: "It seemed crazy to me what they did, because of how he left. He left for free, paying him his contract already a team that fights for the same as us ".
And he added, regarding his decision: "There was not a click for him to take it. There were many things that came together. If I went to trial, the lawyers told me that I was right, but I did not want to leave Barcelona like that."
Regarding President Bartomeu he was final: "He lied to me in many things. I am not going to say it because I am not like that, but I can tell you that in many things."
Even Messi revealed that he came to shed tears, although he preferred not to offer too many reasons.
"I have not cried for sports issues, although I suffered a lot, but for other issues I did cry, although I will not go into details."
Without clarifying whether he cried or not, another inescapable issue was the death of Maradona that gave rise to questions that had never been asked of Messi.
First, Leo said that he found out from a message from his dad.
And he commented: "I couldn't believe it. We knew that Diego was not well but I couldn't believe that he had died. It was something terrible and at that moment crazy."
Messi with Diego Maradona's shirt that he put on to honor him after his death.
Reuters photo
Asked about the female soccer player who did not want to pay tribute to Maradona, he responded with political correctness: "Everyone is free to express their opinions and do what they want. Not everyone liked Maradona because of their way of life. Everyone is free to act. "
But then he was invited by the journalist to imagine his own departure, although he detached himself a bit from the popular myth that El Diez represented.
"I do not consider a funeral like Maradona's, nor do I want to think about it, but it was normal because of what Diego was and what he did for Argentina. That madness that was to fire him was normal, because he deserved everything."
The Rosario assured that his arrival at professionalism brought out "the fan he had inside" but acknowledged that he admires other athletes.
"Rafa Nadal, Federer, LeBron (James) ... In all sports there are athletes who are admirable for their work."
And he released the name of his "nemesis": "Cristiano, in football, too."
And he also touched on an extra sports theme that has left him at the center of controversy: the alleged tax evasion and problems with the Treasury in Spain.
"I do not know if they are investigating me more or not. I had a problem in which I was advised by lawyers and it ended up being solved. All that happened and I do not complain, but I do complain about the treatment I received, because I think it was excessive, especially on the part of the Madrid press, although in Barcelona there were also those who attacked me and it hurt me ".
With a problem in his right ankle, Messi will not play against Eibar on Tuesday in the last day of the year of the Spanish League after having received permission from Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman to extend his vacation in Argentina.
Messi, who was absent from training this Sunday, had left for Rosario last Tuesday on a private plane from Valladolid, where Barcelona played their last match before the Christmas mini stop.
After the 3-0 victory, the man from Rosario got on his private jet and headed to Argentina apart from his teammates to spend Christmas with his family.
After a few hours of knowing the news, the club released a medical report in which it says that Leo is recovering from an ankle injury and that is why he will return to training on January 1.
"
The player of the first team Lionel Messi is completing the treatment of his right ankle.
The player is expected to return to training after the match against Eibar," reads the statement, which does not detail the severity of the discomfort, although all seems to indicate that it is not to worry.
In fact, the injury was not known until this Sunday.
📋 MEDICAL RELEASE |
Messi
The Argentine footballer is completing the treatment of his right ankle
🔗 https://t.co/jtLWHvIPpZ pic.twitter.com/lxQpdBGHL8
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) December 27, 2020
In this way, Messi will return to Barcelona to play the game against Huesca,
on Sunday, January 3
.
The Barcelona captain is expected to return to Spain on the first day of 2021 to participate in the preparatory session for the clash against the Huesca.